The Turnbull Coalition Government will deliver a massive $20 million boost to Tasmania’s biosecurity.
``In recognition of the importance of Tasmania’s agriculture sector and the increasing risks to our island’s unique relative pest and disease free status from increased economic activity and booming tourist numbers, the Federal Government will provide $20 million,”Liberal Senator for Tasmania Richard Colbeck said.
Senator Colbeck said the funding boost was the result of constructive discussions between the State and Federal governments, led by the Tasmanian Liberal Senate Team.
“The funding will be used to establish a Biosecurity Emergency Response and Research Fund to immediately help meet the cost of the current fruit fly eradication program and to assist with understanding future biosecurity and disease risks in order to maintain the state’s Pest Free Area status”, Senator Colbeck said.
The boosted response will include:
* Increased inspection services aimed specifically at combatting Fruit Fly which complement existing support activities;
* Improved industry advice and community engagement and communications to help eradicate Fruit Fly and minimise the impacts;
* Funding to enable a line of sterile adult flies to be made available on demand to Tasmania, if required;
* Support for the Grower Assistance Package above and beyond the $2 million already committed.
Tasmanian Minister for Primary Industries, Sarah Courtney, said the funding with boost was a further sign of the benefits of State and Federal Liberal governments working cooperatively for the benefit of the state.
``The need to invest more in biosecurity is a symptom of our growing economy”, Ms Courtney said.
“Since coming to Government in 2014 we have increased biosecurity funding with $4.5 million more per year now in the budget and employed more biosecurity staff, and I am sure this massive additional funding injection will be welcomed by all.”
Ms Courtney said that the current Fruit Fly Eradication Program is achieving promising results with no new flies or larvae trapped since April 2, 2018.
``DPIPWE is managing the whole-of-Government response in accordance with international and national biosecurity response standards. A State Coordination centre has been established at Mount Pleasant in Launceston and Local Control Centres at Flinders Island, Stoney Rise and George Town.
``The recently released Government policy Maintaining Tasmania’s Freedom from Fruit Fly – a strategy for the future 2017-2050, outlines the importance of Tasmania’s fruit fly free status and made a commitment to actions to assess risk areas in Tasmania’s fruit fly management strategy until the year 2050,’’ Minister Courtney said.
Senator Colbeck said the funding would be paid to the Tasmanian Government this financial year. The Tasmanian Government will then immediately establish the fund, and draw down funding as required to meet the immediate needs of the current Fruit Fly challenge, and as required to support Tasmania’s biosecurity system until it is exhausted.
Contacts:
Felix Ellis 0457 517734 (Senator Colbeck)
Martin Gilmour 0417 030632 (Minister Courtney)
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